Easy Chicken House Plans

Will a goat chew through chicken wire?

Most rabbit cages use one of three materials for flooring. All rabbit cages have wire mesh walls and ceiling, and some also have wire floors. Others have slatted wood floors, or a solid plastic base. There is not a great deal of consensus on which of these options is preferable. Different rabbits and different rabbit keepers will benefit from different cage designs. Here is a brief guide to consider when choosing which kind of cage you want to keep your rabbit it.

All-wire cages are one of the more popular designs, mainly for the sake of convenience. Most are set above a catch tray, so that rabbit waste simply falls through the floor and collects in the tray. Cleaning is a simple matter of emptying the tray and wiping down the floor with a little white vinegar. From an owner's perspective, this is ideal. From that of the rabbit, a wire floor is generally considered uncomfortable. Rabbits that are forced to stand and move only on a wire floor may develop "sore hocks", indicated by loss of fur and/or abrasion of skin on the rabbit's "ankle", at the rearmost portion of the hind legs when resting. Many rabbit keepers, especially commercial breeders and other professionals, keep rabbits in all-wire cages without issue. However, even if a rabbit does not develop sore hocks or other medical issues due to wire flooring, it is still certainly not as pleasant for them as a solid surface. Also, loose hay or bedding is more prone to fall through the floor of a wire cage than others. If you use an all-wire cage, you'll want one with no more than 1/2"-1" between wires. Keep an eye on your rabbit. If it seems reluctant to move from its litterbox, it is probably trying to avoid the discomfort of walking on the wire surface. It is also advisable to provide some surface other than the litterbox where the rabbit can sit comfortably- a raised shelf or the like is ideal for this purpose. Finally, whether your cage has wire floors or not, remember to check the welds and ends of wire for any sharp or jagged edges that your rabbit may injure himself on.

The next most popular variety of flooring is the solid plastic base. These have the advantage of being lightweight, and if deep enough will do a good job preventing the rabbit from kicking litter or bedding out the sides of the cages. Since they provide a solid surface, they don't cause sore hocks as wire floors might. They are fairly easy to clean, also- typically, one simply removes the clips attaching the walls to the base, empty out any dirty bedding, and wipe down with white vinegar or commercial cage cleaner. This is still less convenient than wire flooring, and some rabbits may choose to chew the plastic. Unless it extremely durable plastic, a dedicated rabbit will make short work of it, and runs the risk of ingesting toxic materials. Most plastic-bottom cage owners, however, do not have problems of this kind.

Finally, some cages- particularly those intended for outdoor use- have wood construction. Wood flooring is comfortable for rabbits to walk on, and most people would agree that is more aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, wood is even more susceptible to chewing than plastic, being both softer and more palatable. Also, wood, unlike plastic or metal, is absorbent. This means that unless your rabbits are devoted litterbox users, you will have to be doubly vigilant in cleaning and maintenance, as urine-soaked wood will quickly become a health risk. If chewing is an issue, you should include more, and a greater variety of, appropriate chew toys, and offer more time outside the cage. Also, if you intend to build your own cage using wooden components, it is very important that you do not use cedar or any other aromatic wood. These materials have been shown to cause liver and kidney damage in rabbits.

Whatever the materials your cage uses, the burden is on you to be conscientious of your rabbits needs. Watch for sore hocks, inappropriate chewing behavior, and any other sign that your rabbit's environment is unhealthy or uncomfortable. A thousand-dollar cage cannot compensate for an inattentive owner, and even the humblest rabbit home will be a happy one, as long as its human companion is caring and knowledgeable. Good luck!

When it comes to the health and happiness of your pet rabbit, choosing a quality living environment should be on the top of your list. Whether you choose quality Rabbit Cages or opt for larger Rabbit Hutches, the quality of the materials and the construction of the dwelling will determine how well it works for your particular furry friend.

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